Asset Tag Beacon Interval Control for Wireless Tracking Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density wireless location tracking systems face congestion and performance degradation due to the large number of asset tags exceeding the capacity of the location tracking system, leading to inefficient beacon signal transmission and positioning accuracy issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a decentralized wireless network with asset tags that establish a scalable communication protocol for beacon signal transmission, controlled by a centralized system to dynamically adjust beacon intervals based on the number of tags, and employing event-triggered transmissions to reduce congestion and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of asset tags is increased to track more assets, then the coverage and tracking capability of the system is improved, but the location tracking system becomes congested and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable beacon intervals where tags transmit beacons periodically at dynamically adjusted time intervals. When the number of tags exceeds system capacity, the interval increases to reduce transmission frequency, thereby reducing congestion while maintaining tracking capability across all assets
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts beacon transmission intervals based on real-time system conditions, particularly the number of active tags. The interval is not fixed but adapts to current load, allowing the system to optimize between comprehensive tracking and congestion avoidance as tags are added or removed
2Measurement precision
If beacon transmission frequency is increased to improve positioning accuracy, then location tracking precision is improved, but system congestion increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous or high-frequency periodic transmission, the system uses variable periodic transmission where the interval between beacons is dynamically adjusted. This reduces the total number of transmissions while maintaining positioning accuracy by transmitting beacons at optimized intervals based on system capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameter of beacon transmission by dynamically adjusting the beacon interval. This parameter modification allows the system to reduce transmission frequency (improving capacity) while maintaining positioning accuracy through strategic timing of transmissions
3Measurement precision
If all asset tags transmit beacons continuously to maintain accurate location tracking, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Asset tags transmit beacons periodically rather than continuously, with the interval dynamically adjusted based on system conditions. This periodic transmission maintains positioning accuracy by providing location updates at appropriate intervals while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon transmission schedule is dynamic rather than static, allowing tags to adjust their transmission frequency based on current system capacity and positioning requirements. This dynamic adaptation reduces power consumption by lowering transmission frequency when system capacity is limited
Data Source
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AI summary
This document discloses a solution for managing a massive amount of asset tags in a system. According to an aspect, the system comprises: a plurality of asset tags, each asset tag associated with an asset, configured to establish a decentralized wireless network amongst the plurality of asset tags, to route payload data via the decentralized wireless network according to a first wireless communication protocol, and to transmit beacon signals according to a second wireless communication protocol different from the first wireless communication protocol; a positioning infrastructure comprising at least one location tracking node configured to receive said beacon signals, to determine location tracking information based on the received beacon signals, and to transmit the location tracking information to a server computer; the server computer configured to store a record for each asset, the record comprising the payload data received via the decentralized wireless network and further comprising location data based on the location tracking information received from the at least one location tracking node; and means for limiting transmissions of the beacon signals of the plurality of asset tags in a centralized manner such that simultaneous transmissions of the beacon signals are limited.